Super St. Malachy’s cruise to win Ulster hurling title

20 November 2013

THE hurlers of St Malachy’s High School successfully defended their U-16 title with a hard fought victory over Donegal school, St Eunan’s, Letterkenny, in the final in Cookstown.

The Castlewellan boys had topped their group and in their semi-final defeated St. Mary’s, Clady, who had finished runners-up in their section.

St Malachy’s faced a strongly fancied St Eunan’s side who had a large squad of talented hurlers at their disposal and had a number of convincing wins in the group stages.

The Down men struggled with the physically stronger Donegal side and fell behind early on in the first half. Two quick points followed by a goal left them trailing 1-2 to no score with half time approaching.

A hard-earned point from Liatroim’s Conor McCrickard settled the side, who were stunned by the early St. Eunan’s scores.

A series of good moves resulted in wides and a superb save from the St Eunan’s goalkeeper ensured the Donegal side went into the break 1-2 to 0-1 ahead.

The second half started brightly for St Malachy’s with Conor McCrickard scoring a point from the throw-in, followed by a goal from the puck-out.

This quick turnaround settled the nerves and saw St Malachy’s take control of the game. Oisin Duggan began to dominate in the middle of the field, assisted by Ruairi McCrickard and Pádraig Doran, who as the youngest player on the pitch has three more years hurling at U-16 level.

Conor McCrickard moved outfield in a switch with Jarlath McAleenan, who moved to full forward, and this proved pivotal in ending the Donegal team’s hopes of taking the title from the Castlewellan boys.

Further goals were to follow from McAleenan, who proved to be a handful, after great work in defence by the Liatroim duo of Caolan Moorehead and Callum O’Toole.

A late push from the Donegal side was not enough as Castlewellan’s Zach Carville, along with Rory Deegan and goalkeeper Christopher Rooney, ensured that no further goals were conceded.

The final scoreline read St Malachy’s Castlewellan 4-5, St Eunan’s Letterkenny 1-4.

The final whistle was met with relief and celebration as the Castlewellan boys secured the U-16 Sciath Eamhain Mhaca for the second year running and the fourth time in the school’s history.

St. Malachy’s squad: Oisin Duggan (capt.), Callum O’Toole, Mathew Muldoon, Liam Middleton, Christopher Rooney, Ruairi McCrickard, Jarlath McAleenan, Caolan Moorehead, Cormac Lynch, Rory Deegan, Miceal Rooney, Zachary Carville, Conor McCrickard, Pádraig Doran, Ross McCrickard, Ruairi Toner.

St. Malachy’s, C’wellan 4-5

St. Eunan’s, Letterkenny 1-4

ULSTER U-16 VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

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